White Mountains Sense of Place is a three-part, immersive series focusing on the natural history of the White Mountains guided by field experts. All courses in the series are badged. Each course can be taken as a single offering, while all three courses stack together to create the White Mountains Sense of Place Badge.
August 19, 2022 – Reading the Geologic History of the White Mountains Landscape
In this session, we will discuss hundreds of millions of years of earth history that led to the development of the White Mountains landscape that we see today. Although we will identify a few of the most common rocks and minerals, we will emphasize how to observe and interpret the White Mountains landscape to understand the dramatic events (volcanoes, mountain uplift, erosion (glaciation) that produced the White Mountains as we see them today. We will begin with a PowerPoint presentation and discussion indoors and then caravan by car to a few geologic stops in the Mount Washington Valley and nearby White Mountains. We will picnic (bring your own) at one of the geologic stops.
September 16,2022 – Forest Ecology: The Trees are Talking with Each Other
Have you ever wondered how forests “work”? In this day-long session, we will visit and explore different forest-types in the White Mountains (old-growth forest & regrowth forest) to observe and interact with the living organisms that make up these wild, complex communities. We will blend modern scientific methods with indigenous wisdom to better understand forest communities. Students should be prepared to walk on uneven ground for up to one mile while visiting field sites.
October 21, 2022 – Winter Ecology: Surviving Winter
Have you ever wondered how wildlife can make it though 6 months of freezing cold, snow and ice? In the day-long course, you’ll gain insights into the amazing adaptations of wild animals (and plants too!). Through both classroom discussion and field exploration, we will better understand the amazing feats of science and the resilience that allow many animals to remain active all winter long.
